BC baseball announces upcoming special dates

January 19, 2012

WILSON, N.C.-Barton College head baseball coach Josh Simmons will be a featured speaker at the 38th Annual Wilson Hot Stove Banquet on Monday, January 23 and former Bulldog head coach Todd Wilkinson will be honored before Barton’s home opener on Saturday, February 4.

Hot Stove Banquet

Josh Simmons will be one of four individual guest speakers at the 2012 edition of the Wilson Hot Stove Banquet on Jan. 23 that celebrates both national and local community baseball while raising money for the North Carolina Baseball Museum.

Other guest speakers include UNC head coach Mike Fox, ECU head coach Billy Godwin and Mount Olive head coach Carl Lancaster. Members of the Wilson County XTreme softball team, that won the 2011 Babe Ruth Softball 16U World Series, will also serve as special guests. The festive night will once again feature former Major Leaguers, former Negro Leaguers and guest from the Wilson Tobs, Carolina Mudcats, College and High School Coaches and Players, and former Minor Leaguers. The event is capped by its annual awards presentation.

“It’s an honor to have been asked to speak at such a huge event alongside such great coaches, who have accomplished so much in the game of baseball,” said Simmons. “It will be a privilege to speak about the exciting time surrounding Barton Baseball. It should be a great evening.”

Coach Simmons will be discussing the transition he has made from being a longtime assistant to becoming Barton baseball’s “manager”.

Tickets are on sale at the Wilson Tobs/NC Baseball Museum, Earl Boykin Sports, Dick’s Hot Dog Stand or can be purchased at the door.

Todd Wilkinson Day/Barton Season Opener

Before the Bulldogs throws out the first pitch of the 2012 collegiate baseball season, the Barton College baseball team and coaching staff will be honoring the 19-year coaching career of recently retired Todd Wilkinson on Feb. 4 with an on-field presentation just before game time.

“Coach Wilkinson is someone so important to Barton College baseball and to myself, so it only seems right to honor a man who has done so much for so many years,” expressed Simmons. “This program is Todd Wilkinson. I am fortunate enough to have him as someone to talk too, ask advice, and as an overall mentor. This will be a special day for him and me as well.”

Baseball fans and the Barton College community are encouraged to come out to Nixon Field for to help celebrate Wilkinson’s coaching career and to see some opening day baseball. The ceremony will take place approximately 10 minutes before Barton begins its four-game weekend series against Kutztown University at Noon Saturday.

For more information on both Coach Simmons and Coach Wilkinson please refer to:
Barton announces coaching and administrative changes

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